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Passive

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Latest post Tue, May 10 2005 1:06 PM by Guest. 2 replies.
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Guest  +  98002 Tue, 10 May 05 01:06 PM
Can somebody please explain what the Passive tense is, in English.

It too confusing! Thank you.
Guest
Vince  +  98029 Tue, 10 May 05 02:08 PM
very briefly:

there is an active voice and a passive voice.
In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence 'undergoes' (in need of another word) the action of the verb.

e.g. Bob got hit by a car yesterday.
In this case, Bob 'undergoes' the action of the car hitting him.

In an active voice, the subject does not 'undergo' the action, put likely performs it.
e.g. A car hit Bob yesterday.

In a passive voice, either the verb 'to be' or 'to get' is used.

All I know by heart right know Smile [:)] Passed my grammar test though :P
Vince
Joined on Wed, Feb 23 2005
Germany
Full Member 156
,
Guest, 4 yr 196 days ago
Here is an example and explanation of the Passive:

The building was opened (by the president)
Object + was/were + past participle + (by + subject)


Here, the emphasis is on the building. The most important fact is that the building was opened.


The passive is the best way to express an idea when:

1. We don’t know who did the action, ie. My house was broken into on Friday.
2. There is no “doer” of the action, ie, He was killed in an earthquake.
3. The fact is more important than the “doer” of the action, ie., My dog was run over by a car.
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